At Gwaltney Dental, we pride ourselves on offering a variety of dental treatments for the whole family. Dr. Steve Gwaltney, Dr. J. Ryland Gwaltney, and Dr. Whitney Gwaltney provide family dental care in Suffolk, VA. Family and pediatric dentistry consist of general dentistry treatments that ensure the teeth and gums are healthy, stable, and infection-free.
Why Are Baby Teeth Important?
Your child’s primary or baby teeth are essential to the future development of permanent teeth. Taking care of baby teeth prevents infection and also helps support speech development. Even before your child’s first tooth shows, you can clean their gums with a wet washcloth. When the teeth do emerge, you may use an infant toothbrush to gently brush their teeth.
Regular brushing and flossing the primary teeth can prevent tooth decay or gum disease.
Our team helps parents care for their child’s teeth and track the development of their teeth and gums. We offer a full range of pediatric dental services to help you and your child maintain oral health as they grow.
Your Child’s First Dental Visit
Routine pediatric dentistry visits can include:
- Teeth cleaning
- Diagnostic x-rays
- Charting of teeth and existing tooth conditions
- Dental cavities screening
- TMJ evaluation
- Gum evaluation
We know that some younger patients may feel anxious about their first dental visit, so we take the time to establish a relationship with you and your family built upon open communication and trust. Our compassionate and friendly dentists work with patients as individuals to ensure that they are relaxed during every visit.
Additionally, we emphasize the importance of oral health maintenance and regular dental visits. Visiting our office at least twice yearly helps prevent future oral health problems. We help younger patients understand how important it is to care for their oral health and can make the process fun.
Pediatric Dental Treatments
After we perform a comprehensive dental exam, we may recommend one or more of the following solutions for your child:
Dental Sealants
We place sealants on permanent and premolars to reduce the risk of tooth decay. Dental sealants are also used to protect your child’s teeth from early cavities. They are made of medical-grade resin that can protect the teeth for multiple years.
Teeth Bonding
If your child has a chipped or damaged permanent tooth, we can use composite resin to repair their smile. Teeth bonding is molded and cured on areas of damage to help rebuild the tooth structure. Although dental bonding is not as permanent as porcelain veneers, they are a good initial cosmetic treatment for younger patients.
Sports Mouthguards
Custom professional mouthguards protect the teeth and jaw from injury during contact sports. Professional mouthguards are more effective and comfortable than store-bought options because they conform to teeth. Our patients do not have to worry about clenching their teeth to keep their mouthguards in place during their game. Contact sports especially require mouthguards to prevent tooth damage or injuries.
Request a Dental Exam Today
Are you looking for a family dentist in Suffolk or Carrollton, Virginia? Call our office at 757.982.8467 or schedule a consultation with Drs. Gwaltney on our website.